Kiambu County Government has issued a fierce rebuttal against the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), dismissing their recent allegations of 136 newborn deaths in county hospitals as “fabricated” and a desperate bid to garner public sympathy during an ongoing doctors’ strike now in its 131st day.
The controversy erupted earlier this week when KMPDU publicly claimed that at least 136 infants had perished in Kiambu Level 5 and Thika Level 5 hospitals since the nationwide strike began in May, attributing the surge directly to disrupted services and understaffing. Union officials described the deaths as a tragic fallout from the county’s failure to resolve the impasse, with some reports highlighting delays in referrals that allegedly contributed to individual cases. The claims, amplified across social media and news outlets, painted a dire picture of crumbling neonatal care, prompting widespread outrage and calls for immediate intervention.
In a detailed press statement in a document seen by Kiambu Observer, issued by Dr. Elias Maina Mbuthia, the County Executive Committee Member for Health Services, the government categorically denied the figures, asserting that neonatal services remain fully operational with no strike-induced disruptions. “These false narratives are aimed at creating a crisis that simply does not exist,” the statement declared, revealing that official records show only 53 neonatal deaths over the period—far below national averages and unrelated to the industrial action. Independent Ministry of Health data further positions Kiambu as boasting the country’s lowest newborn mortality rate at eight deaths per 1,000 live births, surpassing even the UN Sustainable Development Goals target of 12.
The county highlighted its accolades, including recognition by the United Nations General Assembly in January for exemplary maternal health efforts, and noted that neonatal units are staffed 24/7 by qualified consultants and specialists—outperforming many private facilities in neighboring regions. Credible trackers like Newborn Essential Solutions and Technologies (NEST) have reported no anomalies, contradicting KMPDU’s unsubstantiated assertions.
Dr. Mbuthia urged the union to cease “unnecessary destabilization” and prioritize patient welfare, calling for a neutral Ministry of Health audit to debunk the claims once and for all. “Where is the evidence? Making claims is easy, but proof is what matters,” he emphasized, warning that peddling misinformation undermines the very lives KMPDU vows to protect. As tensions simmer—with KMPDU threatening a broader nationwide escalation—the county remains committed to transparency, inviting public scrutiny to affirm its robust health infrastructure amid the standoff.
